ZSM’s golden year

As part of its golden jubilee celebrations the Zoroastrian Stree Mandal (ZSM) of Secunderabad-Hyderabad organized an evening of fun-filled entertainment at the Bai Pirojbai Hall of the Secunderabad Parsi Dharamshala on October 31, 2010. Writing to Parsiana about the event and the aims of ZSM, its president Perviz P. Nalladaru mentioned that a large number of persons, both Parsis and non-Parsis thoroughly enjoyed the dances, skits, monologs and play, A Day at the Hospital. The dandiya performed by students of the B. R. J. C. Parsi High School also received much applause.

A charitable institution affiliated to the Indian Council of Social Welfare, ZSM focuses on the uplift of needy Zoroastrians and contributes to national causes. It aids care giving organizations like the home for the aged, Lok Kalyan Samiti, Spastic Society of India, etc. For five decades ZSM has worked to ensure that the less privileged in the community receive ration supplies, education and medical assistance, with a panel of honorary doctors looking into their medical needs and sponsoring surgeries and treatment. When required, psychological/emotional support is also provided. School children are provided with books and uniforms and the academically meritorious awarded scholarships.

(Top): ZSM committee members; (above): a scene from A Day at the Hospital

The ZSM imparts religious education to both young and old and from time to time holds entertainment programs for beneficiaries. It successfully organized the all India camp for Zoroastrian children in the city a few years ago, Nalladaru notes. All these welfare activities are enabled through regular fund-raising events like jumble sales, charity premieres, dramas and the sale of the ZSM Cook Book, now in its fourth edition, which is popular both in India and abroad for its Parsi recipes.

At the recent function Nalladaru paid homage to founder Soona J. Chenoy who established the ZSM in 1959. While felicitating ZSM’s past presidents Nalladaru highlighted the achievements of the 250-strong ladies’ group. The evening’s program concluded with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti and a sumptuous contributory dinner catered by the popular Mazda caterers, the write-up concludes.